This year, El Nino is knocking on our doorstep; and they’re bringing the pesky mosquito with them. As we anticipate a wet summer, we can also guarantee the buzzing and biting of thousands mosquitos to invade our summer parties. These biting, disease carrying nuisances are public enemy number one. If you go to the gym, have type “O” blood, or are pregnant, you may attract mosquitos more than you would like. We have good news. There are ways to protect yourself and your home. Mosquitos love to … [Read more...]
Spiders are Invading!
Sometimes it seems as if spiders have invaded our homes and gardens. No matter where you look, spiders and their webs lurk behind furniture, over windows, in corners of rooms, in light fixtures, on ceilings and under cabinets. Outside, they occupy flower pots and build webs between foliage and live under eaves. Most spiders, even if they are scary to look at, are harmless to humans. Spiders usually avoid places frequented by people. They prefer to live in places that are undisturbed, catching … [Read more...]
National Pest Management Month
APRIL is National Pest Management Month! For most people, it might not be as exciting as, say, Christmas, but around here it’s a pretty big deal! National Pest Management Month began more than thirty years ago. It is intended to bring awareness to pests as a public health issue, as well as recognize the efforts of those in the pest control industry. Since this observance falls in the spring when pests begin to come out of winter hiding, it’s a good time for homeowners to spend some time on … [Read more...]
Winter Pest Control
Often a potential customer will ask me – “Why would I need pest control visits in the winter?” The truth is, this is a pretty good question. Whether you’re up north in Flagstaff or down south in Phoenix or Tuscon, ice and cold is still a reality in the winter months. Flagstaff just had a winter storm come through last month that dumped a foot and a half of snow in some parts of the area – which again begs the question; do I really need a recurring pest control service in the cooler … [Read more...]
Tis’ the Season to Be Wary of Household Pests
When the holiday season approaches, families across the country will begin pulling out boxes of decorations and digging into pantries for baking ingredients. But with these annual traditions comes the risk of bringing a variety of pests - from mice, rodents and spiders to a group of insects known as "pantry pests" - into homes. Bircher Exterminating encourages homeowners to use caution to prevent unwelcome pest guests this season. Mice, rodents, spiders and other pests find their way into homes … [Read more...]
August: Arizona’s monsoon brings out a bevy of bugs.
But don’t worry. The flying and crawling creatures mean you no harm, and are interested primarily in finding the right bug with which to mate and procreate. Starting this year weather officials made the arrival of the monsoon depend on the calendar – it starts June 15 – rather than on attaining a specified dew point, a temperature where moisture in the air condenses into water and dew can form. Adult insects are what we see coming out of hiding and scurrying or flying about when the humidity … [Read more...]
June: Top Three Insects to Avoid this Summer
Most people consider Memorial Day Weekend to be the unofficial start to summer, but in the pest control industry, we consider it the official start of pest season. It’s true, household pests are a concern year-round, but there is no doubt we see an increase in many types of pests once the weather heats up. If you’re like most and are planning to spend lots of time out in the sun this summer, it’s important to be aware of the risks posed by summer’s most dangerous pests – and learn how to keep … [Read more...]
March: Spider Control – Beware of Brown Recluse, Black Widow Spiders
Spiders can be found in nearly every corner of the world, except Antarctica, but the spiders most people worry about are the ones lurking in the corners of their homes, like the brown recluse or black widow. According to The World Spider Catalog, there were 41,253 species of spiders identified as of December 16, 2009, but only a few are dangerous to humans. Two of those dangerous spiders can be found in the contiguous United States, and especially in the southern states. The brown recluse and … [Read more...]
February: Olive Tree Fruit Elimination
With plant growth regulator, we have a reliable solution for olive fruit prevention. Trees can be sprayed from late January to early April before any flower bud formation on the olive tree. The chemical causes any flowers which form in April and May to wither and fall off without setting fruit. This effectively prevents the messy problem caused by unwanted olives in late fall and into the following year, usually with 90% fruit elimination or better! The spray only works for a single season, and … [Read more...]
Have a Holly Jolly (And Pest-Free) Holiday
The holiday season is filled with decorating, baking and celebrating with family and friends. Unfortunately, many pests, including rodents, pantry pests, spiders and mites, have been known to try to join in the holiday fun. We urge homeowners to take precautions against pests that may invade their homes via decorations, firewood and baking ingredients. Everyone enjoys the festive spirit of the holidays. Unfortunately, as we bring beautiful parts of nature indoors to decorate and warm our homes, … [Read more...]
